Illinois vs Michigan: Truck Bill of Sale Comparison (2026)
Side-by-side: Illinois vs Michigan truck sale
| Feature | Illinois | Michigan |
|---|---|---|
| Official bill of sale form | Generic bill of sale accepted | TR-52 — Vehicle Bill of Sale |
| Sales / use tax rate | 6.25% sales/use tax · Illinois procedure | 6% sales/use tax · Michigan procedure |
| Title fee (buyer pays) | $150 | $15 |
| Title transfer deadline | 20 days from sale | 15 days from sale |
| Notarization requirement | Not required | Not required |
| Lien release process | VSD 790 | TR-11L |
| Odometer disclosure cutoff | Required for trucks newer than 2011 | Required for trucks newer than 2011 |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Not required | Required (out-of-state vehicles) |
| Titling agency | Illinois SOS | Michigan SOS |
When to choose Illinois vs Michigan
Michigan charges 6% vs 6.25% in Illinois, a 0.25-point spread the buyer pays at title transfer. Illinois requires title transfer within 20 days; Michigan allows 15. Tight 15-day deadlines push back-dated late fees onto buyers who delay. Michigan publishes TR-52 as the official bill of sale form; Illinois accepts a generic bill of sale that includes the federally-required odometer disclosure. For a truck sale comparison, the buyer-side cost stack is dominated by sales/use tax, title fee, and any inspection or notary trip. Sellers should match the bill of sale format to the buyer's titling state because the buyer files the title transfer, not the seller.
Cross-state transfer: Illinois to Michigan
If the truck moves from Illinois to Michigan after the sale, the buyer registers and titles in Michigan — not Illinois. The seller's bill of sale should still match Illinois sale-side conventions (because the sale happened there), but the buyer takes that bill of sale plus the endorsed Illinois title to Michigan SOS within 15 days of arrival. Michigan will assess 6% sales or use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued. Michigan requires a VIN inspection for vehicles arriving from out of state — Out-of-state vehicles must have a VIN inspection by a Michigan Secretary of State office before a Michigan title is issued. The federal odometer disclosure rules apply regardless of which state owns the title at sale time; trucks newer than 2011 need a written odometer reading on the bill of sale or title. If a lien existed on the Illinois title, the Illinois lienholder must release it (VSD 790) before Michigan SOS will issue a clean title to the buyer.
Generate a state-specific truck bill of sale
Pick the buyer's titling state — the form ships pre-filled with the right odometer block, signature lines, and state-specific fields.
Frequently asked questions — Illinois vs Michigan
Is the truck bill of sale form different in Illinois vs Michigan?▾
Michigan publishes TR-52 as its official bill of sale form. Illinois does not require a specific form — a typed or generated bill of sale that includes buyer, seller, truck details, sale price, odometer reading, and signatures is accepted.
Which state has lower sales tax on a private-party truck sale, Illinois or Michigan?▾
Michigan (6%) has the lower published state rate vs Illinois (6.25%). Local county and city rates can shift this — check the buyer's home county before the sale.
What is the title transfer deadline for a truck in Illinois vs Michigan?▾
Illinois requires the buyer to title the truck within 20 days of sale. Michigan allows 15 days. Missing the deadline triggers late fees and back-dated registration penalties in both states.
Do I need to notarize the truck bill of sale in Illinois or Michigan?▾
Neither Illinois nor Michigan requires notarization of the truck bill of sale. A signed document with both parties' full names, addresses, and the date is sufficient.
If I sell a truck in Illinois and the buyer registers it in Michigan, which state's rules apply?▾
The buyer titles and registers the truck in Michigan — Michigan's rules govern the title transfer. The seller's bill of sale should still reflect Illinois sale-side conventions because the sale closed there. Michigan SOS will assess 6% sales/use tax on the purchase price when the new title is issued, regardless of where the sale occurred.